In organizational reshuffle of Congress, Sachin Pilot goes to Punjab poll, Surjewala for Gujarat, Baghel moved to Assam

AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge. File | Photo credit: ANI

In a major reshuffle of organizational responsibilities, the Congress on Saturday (September 5, 2026) appointed Sachin Pilot as the new general secretary of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) in charge of the Punjab polls, while Randeep Singh Surjewala will look after Gujarat besides Karnataka.

The changes, made by party president Mallikarjun Kharge and announced by general secretary (organization) KC Venugopal, come ahead of crucial state elections. While Punjab’s parliamentary elections are scheduled for early 2027, Gujarat will go to polls late next year.

Major change for poll-bound states Punjab and Gujarat. | Photo credit: Indian National Congress

Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has been shifted from Punjab to Assam as the new Congress general secretary for the state.

The change in Punjab is most significant as it comes amid intense factionalism between the camps of former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi and Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief Amrinder Singh Raj Warring.

If it is not to disparage Mr. Baghel, the move by Punjab can be seen as an attempt by the high command to press the reset button to curb factionalism.

In a party rejig in July, the high command’s decision to make Mr Channi chairman of the electoral committee while continuing with Mr Warring as head of the PCC triggered open factionalism.

By appointing Mr. Pilot, who served as chief poll observer in Kerala, where the Congress-led United Democratic Front scored a resounding victory, the Congress high command tried to signal its intent.

The factionalism has not only created bad optics but also raised the political yatra of the state proposed by the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi.

Mr Surjewala too seems to have been rewarded for ensuring a smooth transition of leadership in Karnataka, from Siddaramaiah to DK Shivakumar as Chief Minister.

Mr. Surjewala was appointed General Secretary in charge of Gujarat and Karnataka, where the Congress is in power. Mukul Wasnik, who looked after Gujarat, will continue as the General Secretary of the All India Congress Committee (AICC).

The party also appointed Lok Sabha member from Jharkhand, Sukhdeo Bhagat, as AICC in-charge of Chhattisgarh; Sirivella Prasad as in-charge of Maharashtra; and PV Mohan in charge of Andhra Pradesh.

The congress leadership thanked the outgoing general secretaries and the authorized persons.

While Jitendra Singh stepped down after the party’s debacle in the assembly elections earlier this year, Ramesh Chennithala, who was handling Maharashtra, became Kerala’s home minister. Similarly, AICC in-charge of Maharashtra Manickam Tagore became the new president of PCC in Tamil Nadu.

Published – 05 Sep 2026 21:08 IST